Great Lakes Dental Technologies has announced a new collaboration with NewSom, the developer of the BluePro® mandibular repositioning device. The appliance has been clinically evaluated for the treatment of mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and primary snoring.
“We are impressed with NewSom’s commitment to innovative, high-quality, scientific treatment solutions for patients who suffer from sleep apnea and sleep-disordered breathing,” said Bill Gertner, Great Lakes’ Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The new BluePro is unique in that it can be used in a variety of creative ways to help patients address issues that arise from living with obstructive sleep apnea, and its affordability means it can be prescribed for many more patients.”
The BluePro device consists of two low-profile splints designed to hold the mandible in a controlled forward position, supporting airway patency during sleep. The design allows for gradual mandibular advancement to enhance comfort and minimize temporomandibular joint discomfort.
Fabricated from thermoplastic materials, the non-custom appliance is fitted chairside in approximately 7 minutes. Each splint is softened in boiling water, molded directly to the patient’s dental arches, and then connected to form a single device that advances the mandible incrementally. Adjustments can be made in millimeter-scale increments to achieve the desired level of advancement.
According to manufacturer data, the BluePro device demonstrates extended durability compared to other prefabricated appliances. Clinically, it may serve several roles, including as a temporary or interim appliance during custom device fabrication or repair, as a trial appliance prior to definitive therapy, or as an alternative for patients seeking a non-CPAP treatment option. The thermoplastic composition also allows the device to be reheated and refitted following restorative or prosthodontic procedures.
NewSom, based in Paris, France, introduced the BluePro in Europe in 2014 and received US FDA clearance in December 2016 for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate OSA.
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BluePro
